Concrete-wall mold.



J. S. BANKS.

CONCRETE WALL MOLD.

APPLICATION men AUG.3. 1911.

1,29,03 Patented 11%. 31,1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

J. S. BANKS.

CONCRETE WALL MOLD.

.APPLiCM'lON men was. 19H.

1,289,083, Patented Dec.31,1918.

, 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

JOHN S. BANKS, OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA.

CONCRETE-WALL MOLD.

LZSSLQSB.

Application filed August 3, 1917.

To all who/2t it may concern:

Be it. known that I, JOHN Sco'r'r BANKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portsmouth, in the county of Norfolk and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Concrete-W all Molds, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsible molds and more particularly to molds for use in the construction of walls, floors and other portions of buildings from concrete, and has for its primary object the construction of flexible mold sections which may be rolled up and packed in small space for storage or shipment but which may be readily set up for use.

In this connection a still further object of my invention consists in providing canvas-faced Wooden backed mold sections in which the wooden backing consists of a plurality of relatively narrow strips of wood secured in parallel relation substantially edge to edge against the back face of the canvas.

Another object which I have in view is to form these backing strips in such a manner as to insure great flexibility of the mold sections so that corners, as well as both interior and exterior angles, may be readily turned. Because of this, walls having pilasters and chases may be readily made by the employment of my mold.

Another object which I have in view is the provision of a simple and at the same time eflicient supporting structure for the collapsible mold sections which will firmly support them in adjusted position and from which they may be readily removed after use.

With these and other objects in view my invention will be more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically pointed out in the claims which form a part of this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved mold and one manner of employing it;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, part of the supporting frame being in section. illustrating my improved mold;

Specification of Letters Patent.

latented Dec. 31, 191.8.

Serial No. 184,328.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through a floor in which my mold is employed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a modified form of construction:

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating the method of forming a pilastered wall;

of one of the wooden backing strips.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

My present invention consists primarily in the construction of a novel form of collapsible mold member or strip which preferably consists of canvas or other suitable fabric or flexible material having a backing Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of wood or equivalent material. Such strips in the drawings are indicated by the numeral 10 and as shown include the strip of canvas 11 of suitable dimensions to which are secured the backing strips 12 of wood. These backing strips are relatively narrow and are secured in parallel relation to each other with their edges abutting or but slightly spaced from each other. While the strips may be of practically any cross sectional shape they preferably taper in width from the face engaging against the canvas to the opposite face and as a rule are substantially triangular in cross section. As best shown in Fig. 6 the preferred strip is in the shape of an equi-lateral triangle in cross section. save that the corners are somewhat cut away, particularly that corner remote from the canvas. The strips may be secured to the canvas by screws, nails or other fastening means. At each end of the strip of canvas I employ a backing strip of wood 13 differing somewhat from the other strips, as will be best seen by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings. These strips 13 are substantially rectangular in cross section save that face adjacent the next strip 12 which is inclined to correspond to the inclination of the faces of the strips 12 so that when the canvas is bent at right angles at the point of juncture of the strip 13 and adjacent strip 12, the two abutting faces of the strips will. engage snugly against each other and the main body of the strip 13 will project at right angles to the canvas engaging face of the strip 12.

When a wall is to be built, such as in constructing a building, a concrete footing 1-1 is first constructed by any suitable means, such as now commonly employed, to provide a firm and level foundation for the base of the wall. Supporting uprights 15 are then positioned at either side of this footing and at suitable intervals along the footing being disposed in pairs, the upper ends of which are connected by transverse brace timbers 16.

movement and a pair of brackets 18 are slidably mounted upon each upright being preferably slotted in such a manner that when their inner ends are tilted downwardly to by nuts horizontal position the brackets will be wedged upon the uprights against any sliding movement. However, pins passed through the uprights or any other suitable devices, may be employed to support the brackets. 7

' These brackets support the longitudinal timbers or boards 19 which in turn, as will be later explained, support the canvas faced mold members. These timbers are placed upon the inner ends of the brackets, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and are alined and plumbed after which they are secured either by U-clamps 20 or by bolts 21 passed through them and through the brackets and secured If the bolts and nuts are employed as fastening means, the brackets are preferably formed each with a bolt receiving slot 23 extending toward the free end of the bracket and the boards or timbers with longitudinal slots 24 at right angles to the slots so that after the bolts have been applied a careful adjustment of the boards or timbers may be readily had. By this means the boards may be so secured that the inner edge of one board is directly vertically above the corresponding edge of the board below and so that both the upper and lower boards are parallel throughout their length.

To further assist in this adjustment and to hold the boards against movement away from each other due to any slipping of the clamps. or bolts under strain of pouring the concrete in the finished mold, Imayprovide wedges 25 which will be driven through slots 26 for-med in the brackets and which will have their wedged faces engaging the inner edges of the boards to properly secure them.

With the supporting frame thus set up the wooden backed canvas forms are applied, as shown in Fig. 1, being positioned so that the rear faces of the backing strips engage snugly against the edges of the boards or timbers 19. These backing strips adjacent their ends are formed with a series of alined transverse openings 27 through which are threaded Diagonal braces 17 may also be employed to secure the uprights against any 1 ,esepse lacings 28 of cord, wire or light metal rods and the ends of these lacings at the ends of the sections are lashed about the boards 19, as indicated at 29. Alacing 30 is then wound about each of the boards 19, being laced through each of the loops formed by the sections of lacings 28 exposed between adjacent'backing strips 12, to firmly lash the mold sections to the supporting timbers 19. If one mold section is not long enough for the wall being constructed, additional mold sections may be employed end to end with their backing strips 13 engaged against each other, as indicated in 1 and cured to each other by U-clamps 31. Under these circumstances the timbers 19 will have their inner edges recessed, as shown at 32, to seat the strips 13 and thus form an additional anchoring means for the ends of the mold sections.

After the mold has been set up, as above described, the concrete is, of course, poured in the usual manner and when the concrete is hardened, the frame may be taken away and the mold sections removed. Preferably the inner face of the canvas is coated with oil or other suitable material which will both water-proofit and prevent the concrete or other plastic employed from clinging to it.

Obviously, because of the flexibility of the mold sections 10 and because of the shaping of the backing strips, practically any desired structure may be made. F or instance, the mold may be set up to provide one or more chases such that shownat 33 in Fig. 1,-

which clearly illustrates how interior angles may be formed in the finished structure. ()n the other hand, the mold may be set up to construct a wall such as that shown in Fig. 5 having one or more pilasters 3a.

In Fig. 3 I have illustrated a method by which the mold sections 10 may be employed in constructing a floor 35 having supporting girders 36 which, of course, may be reinforced by metallic rods 37 or other suitable brace elements.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated a. somewhat modified means of connecting the mold sections 10 to the timbers 19 which consists of a number of resilient clamps 38 provided 7 intermediate their length with spring loops,

39 so that their ends may be swung toward and away from each other and having their ends bent to provide opposed inwardly directed hooks 40 adapted to engage about the opposite edges of the supporting timbers 19. The innermost of thesehooks before being passed about the edge of the timber is inserted through one of the loops formed by the lacing 28 so that the hooks through wall to be constructed after the lower por- I tion of the Wall has been molded, the sections, together with their supporting timbers, may be raised and secured at a higher point upon the uprights to permit molding of an upper wall section upon that already formed, this operation being repeated until a wall of the desired height has been constructed.

Although I have illustrated and described the backing strips 12 as triangular in cross section having their outer edges flattened to provide bearing faces for engagement with the timbers 19 and having their inner edges somewhat flattened or rounded, as in.- dicated at 41, in Fig. 6, to prevent likelihood of splintering during manipulation of the mold section, it will be understood that their shape may be varied at will. For instance, semi-circular strips will be found very efficient. For this reason although I have illustrated and described my invention in all its details it will be'understood that I reserve the right to make any changes which may be found desirable and which will fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A mold wall section of flexible material, and a plurality of parallel backing strips independently secured to one face of such section to permit the adjacent faces of the strips to contact with each other.

2. A mold wall section of fabric, and a plurality of parallel backing strips inde pendently secured to one face of such section to permit the adjacent faces of the strips to contact with each other.

3. A mold wall section comprising a strip of fabric forming a facing, and a plurality of strips of wood forming a backing having the said strips thereof independently secured in parallel relation to the rear face of the fabric to permit the adjacent faces of the strips to contact with each other.

4. A mold wall section comprising a strip of fabric forming a facing, and a plurality of strips of wood forming a backing having the strips thereof independently secured in parallel relation to the rear face of the fabric to permit the adjacent faces of the strips to contact with each other, the strips being substantially triangular in cross section.

5. A mold construction including sup porting uprights, brackets carried by the uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped to the brackets. and a flexible mold Igvall section lashed to the supporting mem ers.

6. A mold construction including supporting uprights, brackets carried by the uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped tothe brackets, and a mold wall section lashed to the supporting members,

the mold wall section including a facing of fabric and a plurality of reinforcing strips secured in parallel relation to the fabric and substantially edge to edge, the strips engaging the supporting member whereby the flexible wall is held in position.

7. A mold construction including supporting uprights, brackets carried by the uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped to the brackets, and a mold wall section lashed to-the supporting members, the mold wall section including a facing of fabric and a plurality of reinforcin strips secured in parallel relation to the fabric and substantially edge to edge, the strips engaging the supporting member whereby the flexible wall is held in position, and means for fastening the wall section to the supporting member.

8. A mold construction including sup porting uprights, brackets carried by the uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped to the brackets, and a mold wall section lashed to the su porting members, the mold wall section inc riding a facing of 9 fabric and a plurality of rein orcing strips secured in parallel relation to the fabric and substantially edge to edge, the strips engaging the supporting member whereby the flexible wall is held in position, and means for fastening the wall section to the supporting member, said means including lacings strung through the strips with their ends lashed to the supporting member.

9. A mold construction including supporting uprights, brackets carried by the uprights, supportin members adjustably clamped to the bralxets, and a mold wall section lashed to the supporting members, the mold wall section including a facing of fabric and a plurality of reinforcing strips secured in parallel relation to the fabric and substantially edge to edge, the strips engaging the supporting member whereby the flexible wall is held in position, and means for fastening the wall section to the supporting member, said means including lacings strung through the strips with their ends lashed to the supporting member, and lacings wound about the supporting member and through eyes formed by portions of the first lacings disposed between the strips.

10. A mold construction including supporting uprights, brackets carried by the 12 uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped to the brackets, and a mold wall section engaging the supporting members, the mold wall section including a facing of fabric and a plurality of reinforcing strips secured in parallel relation to the fabric and substantially edge to edge, the strips engaging the supporting member whereby the flexible wall is held in position, and means for fastening the wall section to the supporting member, said means including lacings strung through the strips with their ends lashed to the supporting member, and resilient clamps having opposed hooks at their ends for engagement about opposite edges of the supporting member, one of the hooks in each instance being passed through a loop formed by a portion of-the lacing exposed between the strips.

11. In a mold construction, uprights, slotted brackets adjustable upon the uprights, supporting members adjustably clamped to the brackets, Wedges in the slots adjustably engaging the supporting members, and flexible mold Wall sections secured to the supporting members.

12. In a mold construction, vertically spaced supporting members, mold Wall sections of fabric, backing strips secured to the mold Wall sections in parallel relation and substantially edge to edge, and means for clamping the terminal backing strips together whereby one wall section Will lie in the same plane with and form a continuation of the other wall section. Q25

13. A mold Wall section comprising a strip of fabric forming a facing, and a plurality of independent strips of rigid material forming a backing secured to the rear face of the fabric in parallel relation, the 30 strips being substantially triangular in cross section.

14. A mold Wall section comprising a strip of fabric forming a facing, and a plurality of independent strips of non-yield- '3 able material forming a backing secured to the rear face ofthe fabric in parallel relation .to each other, the strips tapering in Width from that face engaging the fabric to the opposite face. 40

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

' JOHN S. BANKS.

Gopies of this patent may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

- Washington, D. G." 

